Representatives of Cable Chapter 448 of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) and a small group of friends of Cable Airport gathered there Tuesday evening to mark the 11th anniversary of the events of September 11, 2001 in a somewhat unique way.

Members of the chapter donated more than $2000 to purchase a 40-foot aluminum flagpole to locate at the airport in front of the building housing airport offices, Maniac Mike’s Café and the Foothill Flying Club.

The new flagpole replaced a 67-year-old pole, installed by airport founder Dewey Cable. Bob Cable, grandson of the founder and current owner of the airport, and assistant John Honaker completed the installation of the new one, which included digging a 6-foot hole and anchoring the steel tube that provides a shell for the pole in 6 feet of sand.

Mike Stewart, also a grandson of Dewey Cable and owner of Maniac Mike’s restaurant, accepted the plaque reading “Dedicated to the free people of Cable Airport, donated by the Experimental Aircraft Association Cable Chapter 448, September 11, 2012.” It was presented during the ceremony by Fred LaForge, Chapter 448 president.

Mr. LaForge expressed the EAA’s gratitude to Cable for providing a home for the organization since the chapter’s start at the airport more than 45 years ago.

EAA includes aviation enthusiasts, aircraft builders and pilots. A number of the members have built their own airplanes at Cable. They also take part in the EAA-sponsored Young Eagles program which introduces young people to the world of aviation. Cable Airport has provided workshop and hangar space for EAA for a number of years.

Mr. LaForge and his wife Rosemary also presented a special flag flown over headquarters of the multi-national corps during Operation Iraqi Freedom “for special occasions.” Mr. Stewart promised that “it will be done!”

—Pat Yarborough